Knee support for swimming

[maxrider]

G/f's daughter has a dodgy knee and needs one of those sports support things but all google comes up with are the usual gym type supports with no mention of whether they're suitable for swimming, she swims competitively on a regular basis.

Obviously it's one thing giving it the odd wash but something else when immersed in chlorinated water 2 - 3 times a week for over an hour. One sports shop wouldn't recommend using theirs as they said it'd go manky very quickly.

Is there such a thing and if so where from?

[mechsympathy]

What's actually wrong with her knee?

[shirt]

are you sure the pool she uses is chlorinated? none of the ones i use are. in which case a neoprene support should be fine

[maxrider]

mechsympathy said:

What's actually wrong with her knee?

Some sort of cartilage damage I think, she's 11yrs old

[V8mate]

I though the whole idea of swimming as a gentle exercise form was because it supports limbs naturally.

[toby9980]

You also need it to be streamlined and lightwaight so she doesnt take on the impression of a drowning giraffe, or swim in circles for that matter!!!

[brum]

I too thought that a support would not be required for swimming.
Swimming is often prescribed as the ideal therapy for an injured knee - at least it was with me.

[mechsympathy]

Has she had any kind of diagnosis (ie not just what the GP* reckons)? The neoprene supports should be fine to use if it's rinsed in freshwater regularly, but they don't give much support and are of questionable value.

*Assuming the GP isn't a sports injury expert.

[V8mate]

brum said:

I too thought that a support would not be required for swimming.
Swimming is often prescribed as the ideal therapy for an injured knee - at least it was with me.

Yep. I would have thought that using an additional support whilst in water will actually limit movement and muscle repair.

OP: Has a physiotherapist specified use of a support whilst in water?

[maxrider]

mechsympathy said:

Has she had any kind of diagnosis (ie not just what the GP* reckons)? The neoprene supports should be fine to use if it's rinsed in freshwater regularly, but they don't give much support and are of questionable value.

*Assuming the GP isn't a sports injury expert.

Thanks, just asked her again and the physio she saw said it was effectively a sprain of the knee joint (if that means anything) and any stroke she does now hurts.

[toby9980]

[/quote] she swims competitively on a regular basis.


[/quote]

We seem to be missing this vital point.

While swimming can be prescribed for rehabilitation it is a different matter if you are applying extra force through the joint to perform at a competitive level.

Try the Physio suppliers, if they dont have them im sure they can help point you in the right direction.

Also strengthening the Quads and Hamstrings will help as their origins and insertion points cross the knee and it will help stabilize the joint.

Yay 3yr of Sports conditioning and coaching degree comes in handy

[mechsympathy]

maxrider said:

Thanks, just asked her again and the physio she saw said it was effectively a sprain of the knee joint (if that means anything) and any stroke she does now hurts.

That's a bit vague Didn't the physio specify the type of support they'd recommend? As it depends what they're trying to achieve as to what brace to use.

TBH if every stroke aggravates (it's usually only breaststroke that's a problem IME) it she's probably better off backing off training and working on whatever it is is the problem.

[Ron Burgundy]

breaststroke would be the worst , cna it not be possible to use a pullbouy to aid the knee?